Oklahoman on ‘no fly’ list allowed to fly home

Saadiq Long should arrive Monday, according to CAIR Oklahoma

An Oklahoma man in Qatar who has been fighting to return home to see his sick mother has boarded a plane back to the United States, according to CAIR Oklahoma.

Saadiq Long should arrive in Oklahoma on Monday, the organization said, however Long has still not been given a reason why he was placed on the government’s no-fly list.

CAIR Oklahoma and several legislators have worked on Long’s behalf to bring him back to the United States.

Long’s mother, who lives in Mcalester, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure earlier this year. Long, who is a former Air Force member who was teaching English overseas, has been trying to return to see her while he still has time.

Earlier, Long’s sister petitioned the federal government to get her brother off the no-fly list. She hoped Long can be home for the holidays.

She wanted the federal government to allow him to return to Oklahoma. The petition has already had more than 5,000 signatures.

Long's supporters had also contacted the State Department to get him off the list.

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